Some Kind of Wonderful: 4
A/N: Hi all. I'm back, two chapters in the same week how cool is that? Anyway, this is the chapter that I explain the rest of the questions I left you guys. So I have support services and I can see how many people read my story. It seems many people do, thing is they don't review. Not saying that's a bad thing, cuz really it's not. But remember feedback is always appreciated. Should I say happy Halloween? Anyone celebrate? I just finished watching Regis and Kelly and the Today show! Lol. Regis dressed up as Kelly and Kelly as Regis, very, very funny. For those of you not in the states those are national morning shows here. It had me smiling as I finished this off. Well, I wanted to say thanks for the reviews and the lurkers who haven't reviewed too because seeing the hit count makes me happy. Thank you. Enjoy. Skyz.
Disclaimer: I don't own Btvs Joss Whedon does along with ME. I won only my own creations.
~*~*~
Chapter 4:
I don't know how to explain this. I would believe me if I understood, but see the problem is I don't. I want to believe that this is all a dream and I'm not stuck in some land of limbo.
That I'm just not stuck you know.
No, you don't know.
I haven't even introduced myself.
Sorry, how self-centered is that?
My name is Wolfe Benedict Winthrop.
Hah!
You remember me?
Good, now I won't have to explain who or what I am will I?
Maybe not.
See I'm Spike's son.
Buffy's son too.
A hybrid.
You know what that means don't you? A mixture of both of them, Slayer and vampire blood. Double the fun..double the fun! Double the torture. I was a fluke really, never supposed to have happened. A surprise, not that I'm complaining. I like being alive.
That's my problem.
I want to live.
However, no one wants that. Except my dad. Maybe even mom. But they're in the minority. Everyone else wants me dead. Kinda hard to keep that from happening when you don't know what is going on. Especially when you're stuck in some kinda..nothingness.
I'll start from the beginning.....
~*~*~
Two Weeks ago.....
"Still here," Wolfe muttered as he looped an arm around Grace's waist and led her into Willow's sprawling ranch house.
Grace laughed as she slid from his grasp to shrug out of her coat.
"So I see...so you think your dad's working Buffy over? Making her realize having you would be the best thing to happen to both of them?"
Wolfe followed her into the living room before he answered.
"I can only hope. So how'd your little talk with Xander go? Did he see reason yet?"
Grace shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
"Nope, he still won't let me teach little Mattie a few harmless spells," she grumbled good-naturedly.
The couple strode onto the terrace where the rest of their gang had gathered. Greetings and hugs were had and they settled down for a nice relaxing barbeque.
The rumbling of the ground broke the tranquility of the day and a shroud of darkness that came after the rumbling had ceased covered the sun.
"Grace..you haven't been doing spells again have you?" Wolfe asked as he rose looking around wildly. His senses were going crazy and he didn't like the feeling of this at all.
"I learned my lesson Wolfe," Grace snapped as she too rose and stared around.
Wolfe stiffened and shoved Grace towards the terrace doors.
"Get in the house," he growled. "All of you get in the house. NOW!!!"
"No...Wolfe," Willow began but Wolfe snarled at her and she scurried in after the others.
Wolfe had no idea what was coming but knew he was the only one who was strong enough to face it..
~*~*~
I won't go into graphic detail cuz really I don't remember much except that I woke up here. Stuck in this dark room. Left with nothing but my thoughts.
And oh yeah..someone was kind enough to leave me a little view. Of everything that was going on below. Everything that was going on with my parents.
Their enemies.
Quite the little show let me tell you.
I hate to say it but I'm pretty sure they won't be able to stop what's coming.
The odds are all against them.
I glanced at the nice view again that when it wasn't in use was black like everything else. But slowly color formed back in the view and a new scene formed. Curiously, I watched as images began to form.
The last thing I'd seen was my dad burning to death and this guy Delos coming to the rescue and a girl-Mornay was her name that looked enough like Grace to give me a start. Mornay had some kind of grudge against dad. Delos was her Sire and his word was law. She'd let him go along with Spike.
So I was curious as to what I'd see next.
I saw mom, Oz and nothing much except for them talking and I'd seen enough of that to last me a good while. Finally, the words caught my attention.
"...that you're in love with him," he heard Oz murmur softly and my hear nearly leapt out of my chest for joy.
She had finally said it! To someone else! The images blurred, more talking about Spike, the claim, blah, blah, I knew all about claims so this held little interest.
The scene changed to dad and Delos.
I frowned as I watched Delos talk.
I had heard of him. Of that, I was sure.
Thing is he was never a big figure in the Aurelius line, at least not after Elias ousted him and took over. As I'd been researching the Aurelius line all my life I knew a good bit about it. Delos was a vampire thousands of years old rivaled Elias in age and was among the worst to ever walk the earth. His viciousness was legend; it was no wonder his childer had turned their backs on him. With him as a sire who needed enemies?
He was hurting my dad, making him scream in pain and his eyes...Delos had eyes of hatred. Cold and hate filled.
He couldn't be real; it didn't make sense.. Why was he out now and how had he learned of me? So far being stuck here had held very little news. I'd seen all the cryptic talks, Rufus, and Elias plotting to stab on another in the backs. I wanted answers real soon!
I wondered how this had even happened. Grace and Willow had sent them home, of that I had been sure.
I had thought Delos was not real.
Whether he was real or not he was going to pay, he would not get away with making his father suffer.
My anger blurred my reason; overwhelmed my senses and I missed pieces of conversation.
The next thing I knew Delos was biting him.
I couldn't help the scream that came out. I shook my head, he couldn't be killing him! He could not be killing him I thought frantically as I felt my body begin to shake and I fell to my knees as pain gripped me.
"Fuck," I muttered clawing at my chest. He was killing him and me in the process.
I lay sprawled out barely breathing, slowly losing blood, dying.
I heard his words...talking to mom, telling her she had only so little time to save dad or me. I blinked slowly trying to understand. He was going to look for me..kill me. But he'd let mom know I was out here, somewhere...
I knew she'd come for me and wished she wouldn't, she had to get dad. If he died then I would die, same if she died. I didn't want to die. Not now.
I could still hear Delos talking, talking to Angelus too. Telling him, taunting him. I listened as I managed to open my eyes and stared.
Watched as Delos slit his wrist and Spike drank.
I shuddered as I felt my heart begin to slowly pick up speed and the blood begin to flow.
"Oh my God," I moaned as I curled into a ball, the pain not easing, if possible growing.
My mind was whirling and I knew what Delos had done.
What he had proven.
He had done the worst possible thing to a vampire. To re-sire them with out permission, without consent was wrong, was not done. But to flaunt it, to force it and God...
He hadn't even made him a childe.
He was nothing but a minion!
He now had control over Spike and would use it mercilessly I knew, bring him down until there was nothing left of my dad, only a shell that had once housed the spirit of William the Bloody.
My eyes closed and I inhaled deeply as I ignored the pain and concentrated on the screen. The images slowly faded to black and I tried to loosen my suddenly tense body.
I lay still, caught my breath, and clenched my fists.
This was not good, not of the good at all. I hadn't thought of this, I hadn't thought Delos or anyone else would do such a thing. Especially to Spike. Now Delos had control of my dad and breaking the bond would be almost impossible.
~*~*~
Buffy wasn't surprised as light flooded her room and her door was thrown open. What she wasn't expecting was her mother to come running in and fling herself next to her daughter.
"Buffy are you okay? Honey?" Joyce demanded.
Buffy stared at her mom as if she had no idea who she was.
She shook her head and blinked, she had forgotten the gang was coming home.
"Mom?" she asked hesitantly as her mom embraced her.
"Oh sweetie I'm so glad to see you! I missed you so much. I'm so glad you're okay. What happened did you have a bad dream?"
Buffy slowly extracted herself from her mom's arms as her words registered.
Buffy wished it had been a dream. It would have been so much better if it had. Even a Slayer dream. But she was certain, as certain as she was that they weren't home.
"It's good to see you too mom," she finally said as she hugged her tightly before getting up.
Joyce watched her concerned at her behavior.
"Buffy?"
Buffy didn't glance up as she slowly dressed.
"Hmmmmm?" was all she said.
"What was your dream about? Do you want me to wake Rupert?"
Buffy faced her mom fully dressed and let a smile form.
"No. Listen go back to sleep, I have to go out and do something," she said as she pulled on a jacket and hurried off.
"Buffy, wait," Joyce called after her, loud enough to wake the others.
She ignored her mother's frantic calls as she raced down the hall, down the stairs into the early morning. She really had to stop doing that, she thought with a small smile. Running out on her mother would not endear her to her.
She was on a mission though, she had see Angelus, she had to speak to him and if need be she would kill him.
An ache formed at her heart. She hated the thought of killing Angel, but she reminded herself that Angel was gone and if she didn't kill Angelus she would lose Spike and Wolfe.
She couldn't let that happen, no matter how much Angel meant to her.
Running through the cemetery, at dawn was never a smart thing to do Buffy had forgotten that. Most vamps were hidden away but the stragglers always waited til the last minute to get underground. As she ran, she found herself confronted with said vampires.
Or so she'd thought.
It didn't matter, some part of her she hadn't known she possessed took over and she dispatched of them soon enough and made her way to the mansion.
Kicking open the door letting in the streaming sunlight with the rising sun.
A scream ripped through the air and Buffy frowned in surprise as she realized it wasn't Angelus screaming but a woman.
She left the door open as she made her way into the room.
She found the woman lying in a corner, sunlight inches away.
"Who are you?" Buffy snapped as she stood off to the side not getting in the way of the sunlight.
"I'm the one who's going to kill you," she hissed.
Buffy's head cocked to the side as she remembered Delos's words.
A slow smile formed as she studied the small woman who was cowering, not defeated, but stuck. She had no place to go except into the light and then she would die.
"Mornay I take it?" she asked slowly.
Mornay stared at her in contempt as she smirked.
"What is this? I thought you were the Slayer. Where's the stake?"
"Don't worry. I'll make with the stakeage real soon like. I've got a question for you. Childe of Delos how's that going for you?"
Mornay's eyes widened in anger.
"How dare you speak that name to me," she growled as she tried to make a grab at Buffy who jumped back into the light out of reach.
"Calm down...I only mention this because I've a proposition for you," Buffy said quietly as she crossed her arms and stared down at Mornay.
~*~*~
Angelus stared at the minion before him and snarled low in his throat as he pushed his way threatening toward the young man.
"Move it," he hissed.
"I can't," the vampire whimpered in fear as he stood toe to toe with the larger, older and meaner vampire.
"Of course you can and when you do I'll be certain to tell your Master how loyal you were and perhaps he'll give you a promotion," Angelus changed tactics as charm oozed from him. He plastered on a smile and leaned in slightly.
"Really?" the vamp asked eagerly.
"Yep."
The guard stepped aside and Angelus brushed past him as he entered the dimly lit office.
"Mikel," he called as his eyes searched the room.
"What is it you wish of me Angelus?"
The softly spoken voice laced with a hint of a Russian accent slid across the room and connected to Angelus on a deep level. His back straightened and he dipped his head in respect.
"I wish to meet with Elias, Mikel," he answered respectfully.
"What for? Last, I heard you were enamored with the Slayer. Now I see you are once again in your truest form. Angelus. What can I do about this? I am not of your line."
Angelus shrugged as he began to pace slowly.
"I know that! What I want is a meeting; you have the means in which to make that possible. See there are things happening-"
"I am aware of that. I have no interest in these...things."
"Well, that's good to hear because I have no intention of sharing! Now tell me if you'll help me."
"Betray your own Order?" came the mild reply.
Angelus smirked and nodded sharply.
"Put like that it sounds down right devious."
"Indeed. However, devious is good. Devious will lead you down the path you wish to follow. Devious will help you destroy the Order. Of course, I will help you! I have never liked Elias. Come, I shall make it happen and you shall have the means in which to find your---well he isn't yours any longer is he? William is quite the sought out vampire these days."
"So I see. What's this I hear about a son?" Angelus asked as he joined Mikel at his desk and leaned forward his elbows resting in his thighs.
"Ah..the boy. Such a wonder. Too bad, he has to die. He is the source of great power, his blood; energy is one of the most powerful on earth. Killing him will ensure ultimate power-but then killing either of his parents will ensure his death as well," Mikel spoke slyly as he peered at Angelus.
Angelus tilted his head and pondered that.
"Really? What kind of power?"
"Did you not understand ultimate?"
"Oh, right. Well then, this is better than I thought. Kill the boy, kill the father. Quite the coup."
"Did you forget to kill the mother as well? Or don't you know?"
"Know what? Who the mother is? I don't care," Angelus, muttered his thoughts drifting to the many ways in which he could kill Spike and his son.
"I think you will...because the mother is the Slayer that plagues your unlife."
Angelus's head swung up and he narrowed his eyes.
"The Slayer?" he whispered hoarsely. "Spike had a child with the Slayer?"
"Yes."
Angelus shook his head and couldn't bring himself to comprehend this statement. How ridiculous it sounded. How it enraged him and made him all the angrier.
"I'll kill them all...starting with the boy," he growled.
~*~*~
"What kind of proposition?" Mornay asked suspiciously.
Buffy pursed her lips and debated with herself for a long moment before she spoke.
"Where's Angelus?" she asked looking around.
"Gone," Mornay spat. "The bastard didn't even have the decency to stay for his death! Ran away, although I don't see why. You can't be that hard to kill. God you're just a stick! I'll snap you in two when I get out of-''
"Threats won't work on me. Now I take it you're here to kill me and Angelus right?"
"Yep. Kill you both deader than dead."
"From your reaction earlier when I mentioned Delos I take it you and he had a falling out huh? Too bad, cuz now he's made himself a new childe," Buffy lied as she gazed at Mornay watching the play of emotions that crossed her face.
She had no idea what Delos had made Spike; she feared it was no more than a fledgling, no better than a minion. Her jaw clenched and she had to fight the urge to reach out and grab the vampire. Toss her into the sun and watch her burn. Make Delos feel her pain, she thought bitterly.
"You could say that," Mornay admitted finally.
"You hate him? Want to see him suffer? Cuz really, now with his new childe I doubt he'll pay you much mind. I mean Spi-"
"WHAT?! He re-sired Spike?! William the Bloody and made him his childe? He re-sired him! My God if that isn't the stupidest-oh...wait I see," Mornay finished with a smug smile.
Buffy's eyes narrowed.
"What exactly do you see? I see that Delos now has the power to destroy Spike and he'll do it."
Mornay settled back and studied the Slayer.
"You think I care because..?"
"Just because."
Mornay grinned and then laughed.
"Good answer. I see Slayer...a little girl who looks like she just lost her puppy! And I guess in a way you have. He was your lap dog. Betrayed his sire for you..now he's in Delos's hands because of you. He loves you God only knows why. In the end, it will get him killed. Delos is not a kind sire. He is not like us...the rest of the Aurelius line. Riddled with humanity, quite sickening to the other Orders I can assure you. We feel, we love, we hate and most of all we feel. Delos has none of that, he only gets pleasure from pain and he loves pain. Giving it, receiving it. Quite ruthless, too much for the rest of the Order. That's why Elias took over."
Buffy nodded along as if she knew what Mornay was saying and pretended to look informed. She had no idea what the Order was, who Elias was or how he had anything to do with this.
"He'll make Spike pay," Mornay muttered darkly.
"For what? What did he do to deserve this?" Buffy demanded.
Mornay looked up and shook her head as if coming back to herself.
"Look Slayer what is this proposition you have for me?!"
"You know what's going on don't you? Where we are, why we're here?! I want answers, before I tell you my proposition."
"No," Mornay muttered stubbornly.
"Then I'll let you burn to death, bye-bye," Buffy waved a little as she turned towards the open door and shoved it open wider, letting sunlight spill through, reaching the corner Mornay resided in.
Mornay screamed and convulsed about.
"Okay!!!! Stop it," she screamed.
Buffy smiled smugly and partially shut the door, not enough to keep the sunlight out, but enough so it didn't reach Mornay's corner.
"Start talking."
~*~*~
"So you want in on this?" Elias asked as he watched Angelus.
Angelus nodded as he locked his gaze on the smaller vampire who stood in the shadows of Mikel's office.
"Yes, I want your help. I heard you were seeking something."
Elias smiled and cocked his head.
"Like what? What have you heard Angelus? Or is it Angel? I'm confused, you change so often," Elias mocked.
Angelus tamped down his anger and smiled widely.
"Heard you wanted the boy. I can find him for you."
Elias's eyes narrowed and he studied Angelus.
"How?"
"He's my blood, shouldn't be too hard."
"Oh, but it is. I have searched everywhere for the boy and have yet to find him and let me remind you he is my blood too. It came to no avail."
Angelus shrugged.
"I'm a direct link, Spike is my grand childe."
"That's not what I heard. I heard Delos re-sired Spike...quite ingenious really. Have control of the father you have control of the boy. What do you get in return for me accepting your help?"
"Spike," Angelus said simply. And the boy and his mother, he added silently.
"Simply Spike? To what? Kill him?"
"Among other things. Is it a deal?"
Elias strode out of the shadows and stuck out his hand.
"It's a deal," Elias agreed as they shook on it.
~*~*~
"You're saying we're stuck in a land of limbo or something?"
"In between. When your pal did the spell, Rufus Travers did his own spell, kept you from completely going home. Not home, but not quite in another dimension either. In between."
"But why?" Buffy snapped.
"Come on, you can't honestly be this stupid! Hello, when the Slayer goes MIA from the hellmouth it doesn't go unnoticed. You were gone, people got curious. See..your boy was never prophesied, so the prophets never saw this coming. Once word spread though that, you and Spikey had a boy...couldn't ask for a better thing to come about. Just at the right time too!"
Buffy shook her head and frowned.
"So none of this is real? I mean Angel's still A-"
"Nope. Sorry this is real, as real as it can get. Your Angel turned into Angelus. This is just a controlled environment to find the bo-"
"He has a name! Wolfe, use it," Buffy growled.
Mornay rolled her eyes.
"As I was saying word spread and people got busy. Rufus Travers, Quentin's brother, the one your son killed. Well he's found a ritual, involving said son of Slayer and vampire. Kill the son and gain the power of the world. Just a few pesky details though," Mornay mused.
"Like what?"
"Like finding Wolfe. He's here but protected. No one knows where though so hence the hunt. Second...in order for the ritual to work its got to be done at the hellmouth which means sooner or later we're all going home."
Buffy slid slowly down the wall and sat down in shock.
"So someone is going to open the hellmouth? And this involves Wolfe's blood some how?" she whispered.
Mornay arched a brow and a bemused expression formed on her face.
"Why are you so upset? You should be happy, now you won't be saddled with a brat and Spike the worthless vamp he has sadly become! You'll be respected again. Because really consorting with the enemy does nothing for the rep Slayer," she said drolly.
"Is there anyway to reach Spike? How strong do you think Delos's hold on him is?"
"Very," Mornay said. "Why?"
"I want to find a way to break it."
"There isn't one," Mornay answered.
Buffy lowered her head and closed her eyes. There had to be a way, she thought fiercely. She could not leave Spike to do this alone. She had to help him; she needed him to get through this! And he needed her. She wouldn't let Delos's influence over Spike stop her!
"The claim," she muttered to herself.
"What?" Mornay asked eyeing the downtrodden Slayer.
"The claim," Buffy said loudly as she looked up and met Mornay's dark gaze. She watched as realization came over the vampire's face.
"Well," Mornay murmured considering the possibilities. "That just might work. One problem though, Delos will know immediately if you start doing things to Spike's mind through the claim. So I do-"
"But you're his childe; you still have a link with him. If you were to take his attention away, I'm sure there's a spell to enhance the claim. Make it last," Buffy muttered rising abruptly.
"Me?" Mornay echoed. "I don't think so. I'm not one of your lap dogs!"
Buffy sent her a look of disgust.
"Ewwwww. So not thinking that, hello you will be helping me!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Okay..I'll let you miss out on the opportunity of killing Delos. You seem to hate him so much and I was just thinking..why waste a perfect opportunity like this," Buffy shrugged and whirled around.
"Wait! Wait...come now Slayer we can work something out."
Buffy turned and smiled.
"I'm sure we can. Here's what I'm thinking..help me with Spike and the claim and when we get Delos he's all yours."
Mornay frowned thinking about the Order, specifically Elias, he did not take betrayal well, and what she was thinking about would be a betrayal in his eyes. Siding with the Slayer! But her desire to rid the world of Delos was overwhelming and who said she couldn't kill the Slayer too?
"If you're worried about Angelus don't worry. He's probably out making a deal with the devil."
"It's the only way. I only make deals with the devil," Mornay mused.
"Good cuz I only make deals with God, we're on even ground," Buffy muttered.
Their eyes met and they stared at one another for one long moment.
"A truce then? An agreement to work together that ends the minute our goals are met?" Mornay asked curiously.
"A truce. The minute it ends...we can go back to hating each other and trying to kill one another. I want your help in finding Spike, keeping Delos busy while we enhance the claim and you get to kill Delos unhindered. Are we in agreement?"
"What about the b-Wolfe? Don't you want to find him too?"
"I have no doubt Delos will lead us straight to him. Right now, I need Spike. Are we in agreement?" Buffy repeated voice hard and cold.
Mornay arched a brow and inclined her head.
"We are," she said just as coldly.
Buffy smiled.
~*~*~
I had always known my parents were resourceful, especially my mother. I smiled as I watched her make her deal with Mornay.
They might actually come out of this alive. My hopes were building and so was my strength. My eyes flickered to the dark screen and away. I wished I could see what was going on with my dad, see if he was okay.
I liked mom's plan though, if she could use the claim as a device to communicate with Spike we would be on our way to getting out of this place! She was the only one who could have a chance against Delos's powerful influence. I just hoped it worked. Dad needed her.
I let my thoughts drift to the rest of what Mornay had said. I was part of a ritual, what a surprise, when wasn't I? Opening the hellmouth was an added bonus too. Seemed like that was always following me around, the hellmouth. Open it and end the world, using me as a catalyst.
I needed mom to find dad as soon as possible, so that everyone could get back so we could stop the hellmouth from opening and the world being over run by demons. I wasn't going to be the cause of my parent's deaths again. I'd die before I let that happen!
~*~*~
A/N: Next chapter should be out some time next week I think. Two in one week is quite a feat. I've gotta think about the 5th chapter. But don't worry it will be out soon enough and again thanks for the reviews. Feedback is always needed and appreciated. So give it! Hope you enjoyed this. Skyz.
A/N: Hi all. I'm back, two chapters in the same week how cool is that? Anyway, this is the chapter that I explain the rest of the questions I left you guys. So I have support services and I can see how many people read my story. It seems many people do, thing is they don't review. Not saying that's a bad thing, cuz really it's not. But remember feedback is always appreciated. Should I say happy Halloween? Anyone celebrate? I just finished watching Regis and Kelly and the Today show! Lol. Regis dressed up as Kelly and Kelly as Regis, very, very funny. For those of you not in the states those are national morning shows here. It had me smiling as I finished this off. Well, I wanted to say thanks for the reviews and the lurkers who haven't reviewed too because seeing the hit count makes me happy. Thank you. Enjoy. Skyz.
Disclaimer: I don't own Btvs Joss Whedon does along with ME. I won only my own creations.
~*~*~
Chapter 4:
I don't know how to explain this. I would believe me if I understood, but see the problem is I don't. I want to believe that this is all a dream and I'm not stuck in some land of limbo.
That I'm just not stuck you know.
No, you don't know.
I haven't even introduced myself.
Sorry, how self-centered is that?
My name is Wolfe Benedict Winthrop.
Hah!
You remember me?
Good, now I won't have to explain who or what I am will I?
Maybe not.
See I'm Spike's son.
Buffy's son too.
A hybrid.
You know what that means don't you? A mixture of both of them, Slayer and vampire blood. Double the fun..double the fun! Double the torture. I was a fluke really, never supposed to have happened. A surprise, not that I'm complaining. I like being alive.
That's my problem.
I want to live.
However, no one wants that. Except my dad. Maybe even mom. But they're in the minority. Everyone else wants me dead. Kinda hard to keep that from happening when you don't know what is going on. Especially when you're stuck in some kinda..nothingness.
I'll start from the beginning.....
~*~*~
Two Weeks ago.....
"Still here," Wolfe muttered as he looped an arm around Grace's waist and led her into Willow's sprawling ranch house.
Grace laughed as she slid from his grasp to shrug out of her coat.
"So I see...so you think your dad's working Buffy over? Making her realize having you would be the best thing to happen to both of them?"
Wolfe followed her into the living room before he answered.
"I can only hope. So how'd your little talk with Xander go? Did he see reason yet?"
Grace shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
"Nope, he still won't let me teach little Mattie a few harmless spells," she grumbled good-naturedly.
The couple strode onto the terrace where the rest of their gang had gathered. Greetings and hugs were had and they settled down for a nice relaxing barbeque.
The rumbling of the ground broke the tranquility of the day and a shroud of darkness that came after the rumbling had ceased covered the sun.
"Grace..you haven't been doing spells again have you?" Wolfe asked as he rose looking around wildly. His senses were going crazy and he didn't like the feeling of this at all.
"I learned my lesson Wolfe," Grace snapped as she too rose and stared around.
Wolfe stiffened and shoved Grace towards the terrace doors.
"Get in the house," he growled. "All of you get in the house. NOW!!!"
"No...Wolfe," Willow began but Wolfe snarled at her and she scurried in after the others.
Wolfe had no idea what was coming but knew he was the only one who was strong enough to face it..
~*~*~
I won't go into graphic detail cuz really I don't remember much except that I woke up here. Stuck in this dark room. Left with nothing but my thoughts.
And oh yeah..someone was kind enough to leave me a little view. Of everything that was going on below. Everything that was going on with my parents.
Their enemies.
Quite the little show let me tell you.
I hate to say it but I'm pretty sure they won't be able to stop what's coming.
The odds are all against them.
I glanced at the nice view again that when it wasn't in use was black like everything else. But slowly color formed back in the view and a new scene formed. Curiously, I watched as images began to form.
The last thing I'd seen was my dad burning to death and this guy Delos coming to the rescue and a girl-Mornay was her name that looked enough like Grace to give me a start. Mornay had some kind of grudge against dad. Delos was her Sire and his word was law. She'd let him go along with Spike.
So I was curious as to what I'd see next.
I saw mom, Oz and nothing much except for them talking and I'd seen enough of that to last me a good while. Finally, the words caught my attention.
"...that you're in love with him," he heard Oz murmur softly and my hear nearly leapt out of my chest for joy.
She had finally said it! To someone else! The images blurred, more talking about Spike, the claim, blah, blah, I knew all about claims so this held little interest.
The scene changed to dad and Delos.
I frowned as I watched Delos talk.
I had heard of him. Of that, I was sure.
Thing is he was never a big figure in the Aurelius line, at least not after Elias ousted him and took over. As I'd been researching the Aurelius line all my life I knew a good bit about it. Delos was a vampire thousands of years old rivaled Elias in age and was among the worst to ever walk the earth. His viciousness was legend; it was no wonder his childer had turned their backs on him. With him as a sire who needed enemies?
He was hurting my dad, making him scream in pain and his eyes...Delos had eyes of hatred. Cold and hate filled.
He couldn't be real; it didn't make sense.. Why was he out now and how had he learned of me? So far being stuck here had held very little news. I'd seen all the cryptic talks, Rufus, and Elias plotting to stab on another in the backs. I wanted answers real soon!
I wondered how this had even happened. Grace and Willow had sent them home, of that I had been sure.
I had thought Delos was not real.
Whether he was real or not he was going to pay, he would not get away with making his father suffer.
My anger blurred my reason; overwhelmed my senses and I missed pieces of conversation.
The next thing I knew Delos was biting him.
I couldn't help the scream that came out. I shook my head, he couldn't be killing him! He could not be killing him I thought frantically as I felt my body begin to shake and I fell to my knees as pain gripped me.
"Fuck," I muttered clawing at my chest. He was killing him and me in the process.
I lay sprawled out barely breathing, slowly losing blood, dying.
I heard his words...talking to mom, telling her she had only so little time to save dad or me. I blinked slowly trying to understand. He was going to look for me..kill me. But he'd let mom know I was out here, somewhere...
I knew she'd come for me and wished she wouldn't, she had to get dad. If he died then I would die, same if she died. I didn't want to die. Not now.
I could still hear Delos talking, talking to Angelus too. Telling him, taunting him. I listened as I managed to open my eyes and stared.
Watched as Delos slit his wrist and Spike drank.
I shuddered as I felt my heart begin to slowly pick up speed and the blood begin to flow.
"Oh my God," I moaned as I curled into a ball, the pain not easing, if possible growing.
My mind was whirling and I knew what Delos had done.
What he had proven.
He had done the worst possible thing to a vampire. To re-sire them with out permission, without consent was wrong, was not done. But to flaunt it, to force it and God...
He hadn't even made him a childe.
He was nothing but a minion!
He now had control over Spike and would use it mercilessly I knew, bring him down until there was nothing left of my dad, only a shell that had once housed the spirit of William the Bloody.
My eyes closed and I inhaled deeply as I ignored the pain and concentrated on the screen. The images slowly faded to black and I tried to loosen my suddenly tense body.
I lay still, caught my breath, and clenched my fists.
This was not good, not of the good at all. I hadn't thought of this, I hadn't thought Delos or anyone else would do such a thing. Especially to Spike. Now Delos had control of my dad and breaking the bond would be almost impossible.
~*~*~
Buffy wasn't surprised as light flooded her room and her door was thrown open. What she wasn't expecting was her mother to come running in and fling herself next to her daughter.
"Buffy are you okay? Honey?" Joyce demanded.
Buffy stared at her mom as if she had no idea who she was.
She shook her head and blinked, she had forgotten the gang was coming home.
"Mom?" she asked hesitantly as her mom embraced her.
"Oh sweetie I'm so glad to see you! I missed you so much. I'm so glad you're okay. What happened did you have a bad dream?"
Buffy slowly extracted herself from her mom's arms as her words registered.
Buffy wished it had been a dream. It would have been so much better if it had. Even a Slayer dream. But she was certain, as certain as she was that they weren't home.
"It's good to see you too mom," she finally said as she hugged her tightly before getting up.
Joyce watched her concerned at her behavior.
"Buffy?"
Buffy didn't glance up as she slowly dressed.
"Hmmmmm?" was all she said.
"What was your dream about? Do you want me to wake Rupert?"
Buffy faced her mom fully dressed and let a smile form.
"No. Listen go back to sleep, I have to go out and do something," she said as she pulled on a jacket and hurried off.
"Buffy, wait," Joyce called after her, loud enough to wake the others.
She ignored her mother's frantic calls as she raced down the hall, down the stairs into the early morning. She really had to stop doing that, she thought with a small smile. Running out on her mother would not endear her to her.
She was on a mission though, she had see Angelus, she had to speak to him and if need be she would kill him.
An ache formed at her heart. She hated the thought of killing Angel, but she reminded herself that Angel was gone and if she didn't kill Angelus she would lose Spike and Wolfe.
She couldn't let that happen, no matter how much Angel meant to her.
Running through the cemetery, at dawn was never a smart thing to do Buffy had forgotten that. Most vamps were hidden away but the stragglers always waited til the last minute to get underground. As she ran, she found herself confronted with said vampires.
Or so she'd thought.
It didn't matter, some part of her she hadn't known she possessed took over and she dispatched of them soon enough and made her way to the mansion.
Kicking open the door letting in the streaming sunlight with the rising sun.
A scream ripped through the air and Buffy frowned in surprise as she realized it wasn't Angelus screaming but a woman.
She left the door open as she made her way into the room.
She found the woman lying in a corner, sunlight inches away.
"Who are you?" Buffy snapped as she stood off to the side not getting in the way of the sunlight.
"I'm the one who's going to kill you," she hissed.
Buffy's head cocked to the side as she remembered Delos's words.
A slow smile formed as she studied the small woman who was cowering, not defeated, but stuck. She had no place to go except into the light and then she would die.
"Mornay I take it?" she asked slowly.
Mornay stared at her in contempt as she smirked.
"What is this? I thought you were the Slayer. Where's the stake?"
"Don't worry. I'll make with the stakeage real soon like. I've got a question for you. Childe of Delos how's that going for you?"
Mornay's eyes widened in anger.
"How dare you speak that name to me," she growled as she tried to make a grab at Buffy who jumped back into the light out of reach.
"Calm down...I only mention this because I've a proposition for you," Buffy said quietly as she crossed her arms and stared down at Mornay.
~*~*~
Angelus stared at the minion before him and snarled low in his throat as he pushed his way threatening toward the young man.
"Move it," he hissed.
"I can't," the vampire whimpered in fear as he stood toe to toe with the larger, older and meaner vampire.
"Of course you can and when you do I'll be certain to tell your Master how loyal you were and perhaps he'll give you a promotion," Angelus changed tactics as charm oozed from him. He plastered on a smile and leaned in slightly.
"Really?" the vamp asked eagerly.
"Yep."
The guard stepped aside and Angelus brushed past him as he entered the dimly lit office.
"Mikel," he called as his eyes searched the room.
"What is it you wish of me Angelus?"
The softly spoken voice laced with a hint of a Russian accent slid across the room and connected to Angelus on a deep level. His back straightened and he dipped his head in respect.
"I wish to meet with Elias, Mikel," he answered respectfully.
"What for? Last, I heard you were enamored with the Slayer. Now I see you are once again in your truest form. Angelus. What can I do about this? I am not of your line."
Angelus shrugged as he began to pace slowly.
"I know that! What I want is a meeting; you have the means in which to make that possible. See there are things happening-"
"I am aware of that. I have no interest in these...things."
"Well, that's good to hear because I have no intention of sharing! Now tell me if you'll help me."
"Betray your own Order?" came the mild reply.
Angelus smirked and nodded sharply.
"Put like that it sounds down right devious."
"Indeed. However, devious is good. Devious will lead you down the path you wish to follow. Devious will help you destroy the Order. Of course, I will help you! I have never liked Elias. Come, I shall make it happen and you shall have the means in which to find your---well he isn't yours any longer is he? William is quite the sought out vampire these days."
"So I see. What's this I hear about a son?" Angelus asked as he joined Mikel at his desk and leaned forward his elbows resting in his thighs.
"Ah..the boy. Such a wonder. Too bad, he has to die. He is the source of great power, his blood; energy is one of the most powerful on earth. Killing him will ensure ultimate power-but then killing either of his parents will ensure his death as well," Mikel spoke slyly as he peered at Angelus.
Angelus tilted his head and pondered that.
"Really? What kind of power?"
"Did you not understand ultimate?"
"Oh, right. Well then, this is better than I thought. Kill the boy, kill the father. Quite the coup."
"Did you forget to kill the mother as well? Or don't you know?"
"Know what? Who the mother is? I don't care," Angelus, muttered his thoughts drifting to the many ways in which he could kill Spike and his son.
"I think you will...because the mother is the Slayer that plagues your unlife."
Angelus's head swung up and he narrowed his eyes.
"The Slayer?" he whispered hoarsely. "Spike had a child with the Slayer?"
"Yes."
Angelus shook his head and couldn't bring himself to comprehend this statement. How ridiculous it sounded. How it enraged him and made him all the angrier.
"I'll kill them all...starting with the boy," he growled.
~*~*~
"What kind of proposition?" Mornay asked suspiciously.
Buffy pursed her lips and debated with herself for a long moment before she spoke.
"Where's Angelus?" she asked looking around.
"Gone," Mornay spat. "The bastard didn't even have the decency to stay for his death! Ran away, although I don't see why. You can't be that hard to kill. God you're just a stick! I'll snap you in two when I get out of-''
"Threats won't work on me. Now I take it you're here to kill me and Angelus right?"
"Yep. Kill you both deader than dead."
"From your reaction earlier when I mentioned Delos I take it you and he had a falling out huh? Too bad, cuz now he's made himself a new childe," Buffy lied as she gazed at Mornay watching the play of emotions that crossed her face.
She had no idea what Delos had made Spike; she feared it was no more than a fledgling, no better than a minion. Her jaw clenched and she had to fight the urge to reach out and grab the vampire. Toss her into the sun and watch her burn. Make Delos feel her pain, she thought bitterly.
"You could say that," Mornay admitted finally.
"You hate him? Want to see him suffer? Cuz really, now with his new childe I doubt he'll pay you much mind. I mean Spi-"
"WHAT?! He re-sired Spike?! William the Bloody and made him his childe? He re-sired him! My God if that isn't the stupidest-oh...wait I see," Mornay finished with a smug smile.
Buffy's eyes narrowed.
"What exactly do you see? I see that Delos now has the power to destroy Spike and he'll do it."
Mornay settled back and studied the Slayer.
"You think I care because..?"
"Just because."
Mornay grinned and then laughed.
"Good answer. I see Slayer...a little girl who looks like she just lost her puppy! And I guess in a way you have. He was your lap dog. Betrayed his sire for you..now he's in Delos's hands because of you. He loves you God only knows why. In the end, it will get him killed. Delos is not a kind sire. He is not like us...the rest of the Aurelius line. Riddled with humanity, quite sickening to the other Orders I can assure you. We feel, we love, we hate and most of all we feel. Delos has none of that, he only gets pleasure from pain and he loves pain. Giving it, receiving it. Quite ruthless, too much for the rest of the Order. That's why Elias took over."
Buffy nodded along as if she knew what Mornay was saying and pretended to look informed. She had no idea what the Order was, who Elias was or how he had anything to do with this.
"He'll make Spike pay," Mornay muttered darkly.
"For what? What did he do to deserve this?" Buffy demanded.
Mornay looked up and shook her head as if coming back to herself.
"Look Slayer what is this proposition you have for me?!"
"You know what's going on don't you? Where we are, why we're here?! I want answers, before I tell you my proposition."
"No," Mornay muttered stubbornly.
"Then I'll let you burn to death, bye-bye," Buffy waved a little as she turned towards the open door and shoved it open wider, letting sunlight spill through, reaching the corner Mornay resided in.
Mornay screamed and convulsed about.
"Okay!!!! Stop it," she screamed.
Buffy smiled smugly and partially shut the door, not enough to keep the sunlight out, but enough so it didn't reach Mornay's corner.
"Start talking."
~*~*~
"So you want in on this?" Elias asked as he watched Angelus.
Angelus nodded as he locked his gaze on the smaller vampire who stood in the shadows of Mikel's office.
"Yes, I want your help. I heard you were seeking something."
Elias smiled and cocked his head.
"Like what? What have you heard Angelus? Or is it Angel? I'm confused, you change so often," Elias mocked.
Angelus tamped down his anger and smiled widely.
"Heard you wanted the boy. I can find him for you."
Elias's eyes narrowed and he studied Angelus.
"How?"
"He's my blood, shouldn't be too hard."
"Oh, but it is. I have searched everywhere for the boy and have yet to find him and let me remind you he is my blood too. It came to no avail."
Angelus shrugged.
"I'm a direct link, Spike is my grand childe."
"That's not what I heard. I heard Delos re-sired Spike...quite ingenious really. Have control of the father you have control of the boy. What do you get in return for me accepting your help?"
"Spike," Angelus said simply. And the boy and his mother, he added silently.
"Simply Spike? To what? Kill him?"
"Among other things. Is it a deal?"
Elias strode out of the shadows and stuck out his hand.
"It's a deal," Elias agreed as they shook on it.
~*~*~
"You're saying we're stuck in a land of limbo or something?"
"In between. When your pal did the spell, Rufus Travers did his own spell, kept you from completely going home. Not home, but not quite in another dimension either. In between."
"But why?" Buffy snapped.
"Come on, you can't honestly be this stupid! Hello, when the Slayer goes MIA from the hellmouth it doesn't go unnoticed. You were gone, people got curious. See..your boy was never prophesied, so the prophets never saw this coming. Once word spread though that, you and Spikey had a boy...couldn't ask for a better thing to come about. Just at the right time too!"
Buffy shook her head and frowned.
"So none of this is real? I mean Angel's still A-"
"Nope. Sorry this is real, as real as it can get. Your Angel turned into Angelus. This is just a controlled environment to find the bo-"
"He has a name! Wolfe, use it," Buffy growled.
Mornay rolled her eyes.
"As I was saying word spread and people got busy. Rufus Travers, Quentin's brother, the one your son killed. Well he's found a ritual, involving said son of Slayer and vampire. Kill the son and gain the power of the world. Just a few pesky details though," Mornay mused.
"Like what?"
"Like finding Wolfe. He's here but protected. No one knows where though so hence the hunt. Second...in order for the ritual to work its got to be done at the hellmouth which means sooner or later we're all going home."
Buffy slid slowly down the wall and sat down in shock.
"So someone is going to open the hellmouth? And this involves Wolfe's blood some how?" she whispered.
Mornay arched a brow and a bemused expression formed on her face.
"Why are you so upset? You should be happy, now you won't be saddled with a brat and Spike the worthless vamp he has sadly become! You'll be respected again. Because really consorting with the enemy does nothing for the rep Slayer," she said drolly.
"Is there anyway to reach Spike? How strong do you think Delos's hold on him is?"
"Very," Mornay said. "Why?"
"I want to find a way to break it."
"There isn't one," Mornay answered.
Buffy lowered her head and closed her eyes. There had to be a way, she thought fiercely. She could not leave Spike to do this alone. She had to help him; she needed him to get through this! And he needed her. She wouldn't let Delos's influence over Spike stop her!
"The claim," she muttered to herself.
"What?" Mornay asked eyeing the downtrodden Slayer.
"The claim," Buffy said loudly as she looked up and met Mornay's dark gaze. She watched as realization came over the vampire's face.
"Well," Mornay murmured considering the possibilities. "That just might work. One problem though, Delos will know immediately if you start doing things to Spike's mind through the claim. So I do-"
"But you're his childe; you still have a link with him. If you were to take his attention away, I'm sure there's a spell to enhance the claim. Make it last," Buffy muttered rising abruptly.
"Me?" Mornay echoed. "I don't think so. I'm not one of your lap dogs!"
Buffy sent her a look of disgust.
"Ewwwww. So not thinking that, hello you will be helping me!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Okay..I'll let you miss out on the opportunity of killing Delos. You seem to hate him so much and I was just thinking..why waste a perfect opportunity like this," Buffy shrugged and whirled around.
"Wait! Wait...come now Slayer we can work something out."
Buffy turned and smiled.
"I'm sure we can. Here's what I'm thinking..help me with Spike and the claim and when we get Delos he's all yours."
Mornay frowned thinking about the Order, specifically Elias, he did not take betrayal well, and what she was thinking about would be a betrayal in his eyes. Siding with the Slayer! But her desire to rid the world of Delos was overwhelming and who said she couldn't kill the Slayer too?
"If you're worried about Angelus don't worry. He's probably out making a deal with the devil."
"It's the only way. I only make deals with the devil," Mornay mused.
"Good cuz I only make deals with God, we're on even ground," Buffy muttered.
Their eyes met and they stared at one another for one long moment.
"A truce then? An agreement to work together that ends the minute our goals are met?" Mornay asked curiously.
"A truce. The minute it ends...we can go back to hating each other and trying to kill one another. I want your help in finding Spike, keeping Delos busy while we enhance the claim and you get to kill Delos unhindered. Are we in agreement?"
"What about the b-Wolfe? Don't you want to find him too?"
"I have no doubt Delos will lead us straight to him. Right now, I need Spike. Are we in agreement?" Buffy repeated voice hard and cold.
Mornay arched a brow and inclined her head.
"We are," she said just as coldly.
Buffy smiled.
~*~*~
I had always known my parents were resourceful, especially my mother. I smiled as I watched her make her deal with Mornay.
They might actually come out of this alive. My hopes were building and so was my strength. My eyes flickered to the dark screen and away. I wished I could see what was going on with my dad, see if he was okay.
I liked mom's plan though, if she could use the claim as a device to communicate with Spike we would be on our way to getting out of this place! She was the only one who could have a chance against Delos's powerful influence. I just hoped it worked. Dad needed her.
I let my thoughts drift to the rest of what Mornay had said. I was part of a ritual, what a surprise, when wasn't I? Opening the hellmouth was an added bonus too. Seemed like that was always following me around, the hellmouth. Open it and end the world, using me as a catalyst.
I needed mom to find dad as soon as possible, so that everyone could get back so we could stop the hellmouth from opening and the world being over run by demons. I wasn't going to be the cause of my parent's deaths again. I'd die before I let that happen!
~*~*~
A/N: Next chapter should be out some time next week I think. Two in one week is quite a feat. I've gotta think about the 5th chapter. But don't worry it will be out soon enough and again thanks for the reviews. Feedback is always needed and appreciated. So give it! Hope you enjoyed this. Skyz.